7 Hidden Dangers of Prolonged Water-Only Fasting You Need to Know
Water‑only fasting means drinking only water—no food, no juices, no supplements—for anywhere from 24 hours to several days. It has become a viral health trend on Instagram and TikTok. People tout benefits like “detox,” weight loss, and mental clarity. But is water fasting safe , especially when done long-term? While short fasts may offer modest perks, here are 7 hidden dangers of prolonged water-only fasting that should make anyone pause and think twice. 1. Severe Muscle Breakdown ( Fasting and Muscle Loss ) Many fast for quick weight loss, but lose far more than fat. Research shows about two-thirds of weight lost during prolonged fasting is muscle , not fat, accelerating frailty and metabolic slowdown . 2. Electrolyte Imbalance Fasting By cutting out food, you're also losing essential minerals, like sodium, potassium, and magnesium, risking dehydration, cardiac arrhythmia, weakness, and even brain fog. 3. Orthostatic Hypotension & Dizziness No food + no salt = low blood ...